I couldn't have said it better myself Christine. You're right he is a badass, and that's why country music radio won't play his music. He doesn't run with the "in crowd." I like to think of Steve as "the last of the outlaws."
Back in the 50's, 60's, and even the 70's you had guys like Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson who were the bad boys of music. Now-a-days, it's the rock n rollers that O.D. and go to prison. But back then it was the country outlaws that were tearin' things up, and always gettin' into trouble. Steve Earle is the same way.
Steve Fain Earle was born Jan. 17th, 1955 in Fort Monroe, Virginia, but grew up in the San Antonio area. He got his first guitar at age eleven, and started taking drugs at thirteen. As far as I'm concerned, he was destined for greatness, but Nashville is a dictative, puke hole, and becuase of that, Steve wasn't give enough credit.
......The last of the outlaws.......